Legacy vs. Suzuki Kizashi

I'm a little on-the-fence about the 2010 Legacy vs. Suzuki Kizashi. It seems as if the new Kizashi is the fun-to-drive equivalent of the outgoing Legacy, but Suzuki dealers are few and far between.
Did anyone do direct comparisons between the Legacy and Kizashi and come up with one or the other? (I realize I'm in the Legacy forum...) I'd be happy to provide more details, but I'd like to stay out of the discussion and see how others have approached the situation.
Did anyone do direct comparisons between the Legacy and Kizashi and come up with one or the other? (I realize I'm in the Legacy forum...) I'd be happy to provide more details, but I'd like to stay out of the discussion and see how others have approached the situation.
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Having said that, Inside Line just purchased one as a long-term test car.
http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtests/Vehicles/2010-suzuki-kizashi-gts/
Bob
Anyone else have opinions? I'll try this here, too, but may need to start a new thread... has anyone gone from a Camry (or similar) to a 2010 Legacy? If so, what were your reasons and what are your impressions after driving both?
C&D hit 60mph in 7.2 seconds, IIRC, with the 6spd+Fwd, so I had high hopes. But a CVT and the weight and drag of AWD will push that number in to the high 8s, killing the fun.
The warranty is fantastic and fully transferable but will Suzuki be around in 7 years to honor it? I wouldn't want to get stuck with an orphan car, just look at the values of a Daewoo Leganza.
I hope they can bounce back.
I went from a Maxima (2003) to a 2010 Legacy Limited. I had actually been looking at a lightly used, 2009 Legacy but it felt a bit small and the trunk wouldn't have worked for my golf clubs. I had never bought a "new" car for myself, my wife's '04 Lexus was the first new car purchase ever for me, I'm in my 60s.
When I did the side-by-side comparison of sizes between Max and the '10 Legacy I think every dimension, except trunk size, was within 1/10 of one inch. The Legacy has definitley gotten bigger, but Maximas did as well.
I liked the ride and handling of the Legacy as well or better than anything else I looked at, it's not as quick, or fast as the BMW but I could get two Subies for the Bimmer money. I don't rack up the miles that I did when I was still working and living in Colorado now made the AWD a bonus. My wife was concerned that I would feel a 4 banger was underpowered compared to what I'd been driving but we put golf clubs, her a suitcase and me in it and headed up into the mountains, only to the 8300 foot level and it handled well.
I laughed when I first test drove a car with paddle shifters (an Infiniti a few years back) but living in the snow country, and often driving up to go skiing I appreciate being able to manually downshift without looking down to the shift lever.
I've got a bit over 4,000 miles in 4 months, about 1/2 highway and 1/2 in town, I've driven it to the mountains with 3 other adults (and back down in a pretty decent snowstorm) and I've been very pleased with the ride, handling and mileage.
BTW, mine is the H4 with CVT.
easypar
Not me; it was someone else who asked that.
Bob
Even taking into consideration saving $300 disposition fee and having in hand $1500 in Subaru bucks.
Exterior design is simply atrocious and interior surfaces - hard, with poor mar and scratch resistance, plastic all over and materials - cloth seats particularly are cheap and equally atrocious. Larger passenger volume does nothing for us empty nesters.
Kizashi on the hand, is very well proportioned, not to flashy, nor over the top (vide 2011 Sonata), but quite elegant and classy. The same goes for the interior.
It's been at the top of my list ( followed by Nissan Altima and soon to be available 2011 Kia Optima), since it was made available to reviewers and later consumers.
There is however a but and it is a big one. And it is not almost non-existing dealer network
(there two of them here within 15 miles radius), but the future of the Suzuki in US market. How seriously they are committed to stay here. Each just mentioned dealer has one (1) FWD SE for the past three months. No movement at all. Noticed Fitzmall has pretty decent selection. I am hopeful, when the time comes, there will be a larger selection at my local dealers. Am waiting for 5 speed FWD Platinum GTS.
Both of these cars have about the same passenger room as the Impreza. Have you looked at the new Impreza which does not have the bloated look with no folding mirrors? I bought a new Foreaster XT recently to replace my 2005 3.0R Outback ....avoiding the bloated styling of the 2010 Outback.
1) Springfield is a long ways away, even if the closest dealer is 45 minutes away (they had only a FWD SE, and the guy didn't seem particularly responsive).
2) I don't want an SLS; I want an SE with paddle shifters (which forces me into the GTS, but I don't want a sunroof).
As far as fit and finish, I think the Subaru actually looks nicer inside than the Kizashi, but of course this is personal preference. I like on the Subaru:
1) four-bar trunk hinge (i.e. unexposed trunk hinge);
2) Placement of MPG gauge (digital readout);
3) Look/layout of cabin
4) AWD system
5) Bigger trunk (useful for me, as my job will require moving every six months for the first two years)
I like on the Kizashi:
1) Nice to drive
2) Looks
3) folding mirrors
The Kizashi oil-change process is pretty convoluted -- it requires removal of a skid plate/aerodynamic plastic sheet underbody.
Given that neither car is perfect, it seems like all I'd be trading up for is more handing -- which honestly might not be worth spending another $15k on. I can put a rear sway bar in my Camry and get near the same improved handling...
Just a note here. Suzuki offers those wanting a manual tranny on their new Kizashi a 6-speed transmission, not a 5-speed.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
This and almost utter lack of advertising for the car don't inspire confidence in Suzuki's commitment to its long term future here.
Unfortunately I have to agree with you here. And that's a real shame, as Suzuki has a real winner with this car. I just hope it's not a case of too-little-too-late.
Bob
The current inventory of Kizashi's at that store is 3 Kizashi's...all in automatic CVT transmission. :sick:
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
I looked at the new car pricing in here and to outfit the Kizashi like my Legacy Limited the MSRP would have been very close to the Subie. Not sure how much, if any discount would have swayed me.
Just curious, how long did you own the SX4 and I guess you were pleased enough with it to go back to the source.
Anyway, enjoy the ride and maybe I'll see you up on the slopes.
easypar
I don't get something - Suzuki sales were down 72% in March, what's up with that?
Kizashi should be picking them up, are they still in short supply or something?
Hopefully Kizashi can at least pick up the slack.
Suzuki cripples Kizashi plan
Without technology from GM, hybrid and V-6 vanish
Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100405/RETAIL03/304059967/1- 429#ixzz0kEQHAJqG
They'd be better off getting a TDI engine from VW as far as fuel misers go.
I hadn't thought about the VW partnership until this artible popped up.
Just a few days ago I took a VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI for a long (one hour) test drive on very diversified surfaces and roads (concrete freeways and black top twisty country roads), and I was mighty impressed. Aside from huge economical disadvantage of the TDI, cost of fuel and and ca. $4000 premium compare to gasoline mill, considering VW's spotty quality and very inconsistent reliability, I would definitely stay clear from this brand. I am speaking from my own experiance and more than fair share of problems with 2002 Passat. On the other hand, I'd love to see, and possibly buy Forester with boxer TDI.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Our nanny's daughter owned a Passat lemon, I swear she drove a Ford Five Hundred loaner more miles than she drove her Passat.
I really like TDIs but I'm not sure I could ever pull the trigger.
All cars have their issues (wheel bearings, anyone?) but with Subaru at least I'm familiar with them and there is a community around to help.
VW became the largest auto maker in the world because Toyota cut production last year. Also VW doesn't focus on the North America market like Toyota and GM. They have focused their sales efforts in China and South America - places the recession hasn't affected. They are also the number one brand in Europe with about 20% market share in western Europe.
I own an 05 Passat and completely love it. Great intial quality and thus far great long term reliability.
Every brand has issues - it wasn't too long ago that Toyota was considered bullet-proof.
Though I will say the majority of the public thinks the same way you do, just look at Legacy sales lately.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick